FAMILY HANDBOOK 2021-2022 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School 2021-2022 Family Handbook Cover art, “St. Elizabeth Ann Seton,” © Brenda Nippert, courtesy of Trinity Stores, www.trinitystores.com (817) 431-4845 · 2016 Willis Lane, Keller, TX 76248 · www.seton.school 2021-2022 FAMILY HANDBOOK ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dear Families, Welcome to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School! We look forward to supporting you and helping your children grow up to be good, holy, wise, knowledgeable, and happy adults. It is a noble, challenging, fun, and exciting mission! Our mission is to help parents educate and form their children in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty through a Christ-centered environment, challenging academics, and hands-on learning, so that each child becomes a disciple of Christ and is prepared to respond to God's call. We do this by cultivating faith, virtue, and wisdom in our students as they encounter Christ through the Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of God’s creation. Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est) In doing so, it is our hope that our students—your children—will be formed spiritually, morally, intellectually, and physically so that they are prepared and disposed to respond to God’s call. This is the Catholic education we aim to offer, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, in fidelity to the Catholic Church, and in partnership with you, the primary educators of your children. This Family Handbook outlines how we aim to support you in forming your children. The Family Handbook is a means of communication between school and home. It reflects the policies of the School. Please read it carefully and signify your agreement during online enrollment. Close cooperation between the home and school is essential to promote the best interests of the student. Sincerely in Christ, Sam Vanderplas Principal – 1 – 2021-2022 FAMILY HANDBOOK ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL TABLE OF CONTENTS MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY 4 FAITH FORMATION 5 Faith Formation and Religious Education 6 Mass, Confession, and Adoration 6 School Community Prayers 6 ACADEMIC PROGRAM 9 Curriculum 9 Academic Expectations 10 The Purpose of Homework: To Strengthen Mastery 11 Tutoring 14 Testing 14 Field Trips 14 Report Cards 14 Service Hours 16 ADMISSION 17 ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES 21 Arrival 22 Park and Walk 22 Dismissal 22 Special Needs/Appointments 22 Late Pick-Up 22 Extended Day 23 ATTENDANCE 23 Tardiness 23 Absences 24 COMMUNICATION 24 Friday Folders 25 Assignment Planners (1st – 8th grades) 25 Messages to Students and Teachers 25 DISCIPLINE: A FOUNDATION FOR A HAPPY LIFE 26 Philosophy: Grow in Goodness 27 – 2 – 2021-2022 FAMILY HANDBOOK ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL High Standards for Behavior 28 No Gum 29 No Disrespect of Property, Theft, or Vandalism 29 No Fighting, Harassment, or Bullying 29 No Inappropriate Language 31 Suspension and Expulsion 33 EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS 34 HEALTH PROCEDURES 35 Immunizations 35 Medication 35 Allergy Policy 36 Guidelines for Excluding Students from School 36 LIBRARY 37 SECURITY 38 Release of Students 38 Visitors 38 Inclement Weather 39 Drills and Alerts 39 Searches 39 Child Abuse and Neglect 39 UNIFORMS 39 Full Dress Uniform 40 Standard Uniform 41 Spirit Day Dress Code 41 Pre-K Dress Code 42 Uniform Accessories 42 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 44 MISCELLANEOUS 45 Lunch 45 Birthdays 46 Lost and Found 46 – 3 – 2021-2022 FAMILY HANDBOOK ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY “There can be no true education which is not wholly directed to man's last end.” ~ Pope Pius XI, Divini Illius Magistri Canon Law A true education must strive for the integral formation of the human person. This is a formation that looks toward the person’s final end. At the same time, we are to focus toward the common good of societies, the Church and the world. Young people are to be raised so that they can develop harmoniously their physical, moral, and intellectual talents. This will enable them to acquire a more perfect sense of responsibility and a correct use of this freedom. Mission St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School assists parents with the education and formation of their children in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty through a Christ-centered environment, challenging academics, and hands-on learning so that each child becomes a disciple of Christ and is prepared to respond to God’s call. Vision “The so-called ‘neutral’ or ‘lay’ school, from which religion is excluded, is contrary to the fundamental principles of education. Such a school moreover cannot exist in practice; it is bound to become irreligious.” ~ Pope Pius XI, Divini Illius Magistri Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fort Worth are committed to opening the doors so that our students can reach further than the walls that would otherwise enclose them and therefore are able to recognize and cherish the eternal and transcendental goods of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. Philosophy St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School believes in the potential of children. By providing direction toward God through traditional Catholic teaching, by supplying a strong foundation in academics and in the fine arts, and by supporting parents as partners, we will strive to form young people who will contribute to the Church and live joyously in their faith. Goals and Objectives “The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.” ~ Plutarch – 4 – 2021-2022 FAMILY HANDBOOK ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Spiritual Goal: To foster a commitment to know, love, and serve God and one another ● By learning Catholic tradition and teachings ● By worshiping together as a faith community ● By engaging in service projects ● By developing a strong moral and social consciousness ● By incorporating the message of Jesus in all aspects of life Intellectual Goal: To encourage each child to attain his or her fullest potential ● By providing teachers of the highest quality, and with high values who inspire children through their methods ● By providing an environment that is happy and inspiring to the child’s mind and instills in each child the love of learning ● By acquiring study skills which promote self-discipline and time management ● By developing problem-solving, team-building, and decision-making skills ● By developing their minds and talents Social Goal: To guide students to become conscientious, successful members of a global community ● By developing a respect for self and others ● By understanding how actions impact the community of God’s world ● By communicating effectively and respectfully ● By valuing the sanctity of all life from conception to natural death Emotional Goal: To nurture respect and celebrate each child’s individuality ● By developing an appreciation for each individual’s gifts and uniqueness ● By appreciating their own self worth ● By growing in self-reliance ● By accepting responsibility for their actions and the consequences of those actions Physical Goal: To promote a positive attitude towards a healthy lifestyle ● By respecting their bodies as temples of the Lord ● By practicing good nutrition and proper hygiene ● By participating in a wide range of physical activities, both structured and unstructured FAITH FORMATION Research shows that students of Catholic schools are more likely to remain Catholic as adults. Students of Catholic schools also have greater doctrinal knowledge than their peers and are more orthodox in doctrinal and ethical questions. As adults they are more likely to pray daily, attend Mass regularly, remain loyal to the Church’s moral teachings, discern a religious vocation, marry within the Catholic Church, have a Catholic wedding, and promote their own children dating and marrying fellow Catholics. The importance of this early – 5 – 2021-2022 FAMILY HANDBOOK ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL foundation is surely one reason that the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore decreed that every Catholic child must attend Catholic school if at all possible.1 Faith Formation and Religious Education “It is necessary not only that religious instruction be given to the young at certain fixed times, but also that every other subject taught be permeated with Christian piety.” ~ Pope Pius XI, Divini Illius Magistri Faith formation and religious education are provided at each grade level on a daily basis. This includes Roman Catholic instruction, prayers, and Catholic family values. Our curriculum is centered on Catholic Christian vision and values. Children must see faith valued and practiced in the family before it can become a meaningful part of their lives. It is strongly suggested that the family model to their children the privilege of prayer and worship, especially the Sunday and Holy Day celebrations of the Eucharist with the parish community. Mass, Confession, and Adoration “Truly barren is a secular education. It is always in labor, but never gives birth.” ~ St. Gregory of Nyssa Students in grades K-8 attend Mass each Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM. Prayer services are also conducted on a regular basis. Second grade students prepare to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and Eucharist. On the first Friday of each month, K-8 have the opportunity to spend silent time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration while one third- through eighth-grade class per week has the opportunity to go to Confession. Prayer services and Mass provide the children with an opportunity to worship and thank God as well as grow in their relationship with Him. Families are welcome and strongly encouraged to attend these celebrations with their students. Please meet your student in the Narthex. Flash cameras, cell phones, and pagers distract from the celebration and are not permitted. Non-flash photography and videotaping are acceptable only from a stationary position within the nave (main body of the church).